ACT English : Reorganizing Content

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Separating, Combining, Or Reordering Sentences

[1] Today, passengers can travel through the 31-mile tunnel in just 20 minutes. [2] However, cars cannot drive through the tunnel. [3] While some people choose to ride on passenger trains, it is also possible to travel via car. [4] Instead, cars must be driven onto special trains. [5] Passengers then remain in their cars during the journey, and upon reaching the station, they simply drive their cars off the train.

In order to make this paragraph as logical as possible, where should Sentence 2 be placed?

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 3

After Sentence 4

Where it is now

Before Sentence 1

After Sentence 5

Correct answer:

After Sentence 3

Explanation:

"However" suggests a contrast. The logical contrast in this paragraph is the contrast between the statement that it is possible to take a car through the tunnel and the statement that the car cannot simply be driven through the tunnel.

Example Question #2 : Separating, Combining, Or Reordering Sentences

My childhood was fairly idyllic. I grew up in southern suburbia, we could play outside nearly year round. We almost played outside every day. Our days were filled with bike rides, jumping on the trampoline, playing in the sprinklers, and also imagination games. Countless afternoons were spent in the side yard of our home, where our imaginations were the limit to our fun. One of our favorite games was “Lost Children.” Oddly enough, the parents in the game were always deceased or fighting in a foreign war. The source of this game likely stemmed from the books we read.

My mother’s old, rusty, orange wheelbarrow was perpetually propped up against the fence, to serve as the base for our makeshift range. The metal braces beneath the wheelbarrow bin provided the perfect resting place for a pair of burners, hastily sketched on a flat board. Old paint buckets became a sink and a stained picnic table was scrubbed to a relative state of cleanliness. Our visitors, who were often kings and queens, were served heaping helpings of mud and grass pie, possibly adorned with a side helping of flowers. Household chores were far more fun to do in our imaginary world, and we would eagerly sweep and dust our humble home. Even covered in leaves, we loved our outdoor kitchen.  

Other days, we would scamper around the neighborhood park, sometimes venturing into the woods to go exploring. One time we borrowed my little sister’s wagon and flew down the sides of the ditch. Although we had a grand time my mother was not pleased when she had to replace the broken axle. On adventurous days, we would pretend to be statues on the entrance sign to our neighborhood. But, the most perfect afternoons were spent biking up to the local corner store. With spending money burning a hole in our pockets, we would peruse the convenience store shelves, and after carefully picking our selections, we would pedal home. Our plastic shopping bags hung from the handlebars, rustling in the wind.

The bite of crisp fall evenings would barely phase our childlike fantasies. But, to our dismay, twilight would inevitably seep into our childhood world. Mother would call us in for dinner and a bath, if needed. Tired, beds were welcomed. I would often fall asleep to the gentle rhythm of my mother’s voice.

The author is considering adding the following sentence between the two sentences bolded at the end of the passage's last paragraph:

"However, after a lovely family dinner, the fantasy could begin again as childhood bedtime stories took us to Avonlea with Anne or the Swiss Alps with Heidi."

Should the writer make this addition here?

Possible Answers:

No, because it distracts attention from the paragraph’s focus, which is coming inside from playing.

Yes, because it reinforces the idea of childhood being idyllic.

No, because it adds information about bedtime stories, when the passage is about playing outside.

Yes, because it continues the theme of imagination and fantasy, and links the previous sentence to the concluding sentences. It reduces ambiguity.

Correct answer:

Yes, because it continues the theme of imagination and fantasy, and links the previous sentence to the concluding sentences. It reduces ambiguity.

Explanation:

"Yes, because it continues the theme of imagination and fantasy, and links the previous sentence to the concluding sentences. It reduces ambiguity" is the best choice because the sentence clarifies the concluding statement about falling asleep to her mother reading.

Example Question #3 : Separating, Combining, Or Reordering Sentences

"Lincoln as a Child" by Caleb Zimmerman (2013)

 Abraham Lincoln's forefathers were pioneers. People that left their homes to open up the wilderness and make the way clear for others to follow them. For one hundred and seventy years, ever since the first Lincoln came from England to Massachusetts in 1638, he had been moving slowly westward as new settlements were made in the forest. They faced solitude, privation, and all the dangers and hardships that beset those who take up their homes where only beasts and wild men have had homes before; but they continued to press steadily forward, though they lost fortune and sometimes even life itself in their westward progress.

Back in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, some of the Lincolns had been people of wealth and influence. In Kentucky, where the future President was born on February 12, 1809, his parents live in deep poverty. Their home was a small log cabin of the rudest kind, and nothing seemed more unlikely than that their child, coming into the world in such humble surroundings, was destined to be the greatest man of his time and true to his heritage, he also was to be a pioneer—not into new woods and unexplored fields like his ancestors, but a pioneer of a nobler and grander sort, directing the thoughts of people ever toward the right, and leading the American people, through difficulties and dangers and a mighty war, to peace and freedom.

The author is considering adding the following sentence to the essay: “But a wealthy family is not a prerequisite for success.” Which of the following is the most appropriate place to insert this sentence?

Possible Answers:

At the end of paragraph 1

Before sentence 1

At the end of sentence 2, after “in the forest.”

After the third sentence in paragraph 2, before “True to his heritage,”

Correct answer:

After the third sentence in paragraph 2, before “True to his heritage,”

Explanation:

The conjunction “but” suggests a contrast that is not present except in "After the third sentence in paragraph 2, before 'True to his race,'"

Example Question #2 : Separating, Combining, Or Reordering Sentences

While the course appeared hard from the outset, when his report card arrived in the mail, Charlie had discovered that all of his studying had paid off. He had successfully passed Chemistry: his father would be proud. His father, a world-renowned chemist was doubtful that Charlie would pass the class but Charlie was sure that he could do it. He had spent all of the fall semester studying the periodic table, memorizing different measurements and learning the parts of an atom.

That terrible semester culminated in the final exam. The day of the big test, his stomach is a tight knot of nerves. He tried to tell his mother that he was feeling ill but she knew that he was lying.1 He shook as he tried to put on his shoes and socks.He woke up with his fingers tightly gripping the bedspread.3 Sitting on the bus, he could feel himself sweating through his light sweater.4 When Charlie finally arrived at school, he walked into his Chemistry class just as his teacher was passing out the test. “You may now begin,” she said.

With the report card now clenched in his hands in victory, Charlie knew that he could tackle anything to which he put his mind.

Which of the following sentences best introduces the rest of paragraph, beginning at the bolded point? 

Possible Answers:

The test determined his final letter grade and he wanted to do well.

He decided that he wasn’t going to study because his favorite basketball team was playing that night.

He wasn’t worried about the final test because the course material was easy.

His final letter grade was determined by this test so he stayed up late studying for his English test.

Correct answer:

The test determined his final letter grade and he wanted to do well.

Explanation:

The rest of the passage explains, in detail, how nervous Charlie was before the test.  He said that he was determined to prove his father wrong so he most likely stayed home the night before the test to study and prepare. "His final letter grade was determined by this test so he stayed up late studying for his English test" is wrong because the story is talking about Charlie’s experience in Chemistry class, not English.

Example Question #11 : Reorganizing Content

While the course appeared hard from the outset, when his report card arrived in the mail, Charlie had discovered that all of his studying had paid off. He had successfully passed Chemistry: his father would be proud. His father, a world-renowned chemist was doubtful that Charlie would pass the class but Charlie was sure that he could do it. He had spent all of the fall semester studying the periodic table, memorizing different measurements and learning the parts of an atom.

That terrible semester culminated in the final exam. The day of the big test, his stomach is a tight knot of nerves. He tried to tell his mother that he was feeling ill but she knew that he was lying.1 He shook as he tried to put on his shoes and socks.He woke up with his fingers tightly gripping the bedspread.3 Sitting on the bus, he could feel himself sweating through his light sweater.4 When Charlie finally arrived at school, he walked into his Chemistry class just as his teacher was passing out the test. “You may now begin,” she said.

With the report card now clenched in his hands in victory, Charlie knew that he could tackle anything to which he put his mind.

What is the most logical order for the bolded and numbered sentences?

Possible Answers:

3, 1, 2, 4

3, 4, 2, 1

1, 2, 3, 4

2, 4, 3, 1

Correct answer:

3, 1, 2, 4

Explanation:

The sentences should be put in chronological order.  You can narrow it down to "3, 1, 2, 4" and "2, 4, 3, 1" because Charlie would have to wake up and get out of bed before he can do any of the other actions described.  It is not clear whether sentence 2 or sentence 1 should come first but that’s not an issue because they only appear together in the correct answer.  Sentence 4 has to come last because it talks about when he has already left the house and is on his way to school.

Example Question #12 : Reorganizing Content

While the course appeared hard from the outset, when his report card arrived in the mail, Charlie had discovered that all of his studying had paid off. He had successfully passed Chemistry: his father would be proud. His father, a world-renowned chemist was doubtful that Charlie would pass the class but Charlie was sure that he could do it. He had spent all of the fall semester studying the periodic table, memorizing different measurements and learning the parts of an atom.

That terrible semester culminated in the final exam. The day of the big test, his stomach is a tight knot of nerves. He tried to tell his mother that he was feeling ill but she knew that he was lying.1 He shook as he tried to put on his shoes and socks.He woke up with his fingers tightly gripping the bedspread.3 Sitting on the bus, he could feel himself sweating through his light sweater.4 When Charlie finally arrived at school, he walked into his Chemistry class just as his teacher was passing out the test. “You may now begin,” she said.

With the report card now clenched in his hands in victory, Charlie knew that he could tackle anything to which he put his mind.

All of the following sentences would provide a smooth transition into the concluding paragraph before the bolded "With," EXCEPT __________.

Possible Answers:

When Charlie got his report card, he saw that he had passed the class with flying colors.

His report card arrived in the mail several weeks after the test; he had earned a 90%.

Several weeks later, when he received his report card, he saw that he had proved his father wrong.

When Charlie received his report card in the mail, he was disappointed with his final grade in the class.

Correct answer:

When Charlie received his report card in the mail, he was disappointed with his final grade in the class.

Explanation:

All of the answers, except for "when Charlie received his report card in the mail, he was disappointed with his final grade in the class," describe how well he did in Chemistry or the feeling of joy he felt by passing the class despite what his father thought.  "When Charlie received his report card in the mail, he was disappointed with his final grade in the class," would not fit because it says that he was “disappointed”; we know this is wrong because the rest of the paragraph goes on to describe his feelings of “victory.”

Example Question #13 : Reorganizing Content

During the final months of 2007, the prices of basic grains nearly doubled in Northern Africa, Latin America, and much of Asia, the high prices caused a global food crisis. The catastrophe sparked and incited an international debate regarding the licensing of new technologies to developing nations. One economist warned that because of the risk of unforeseen price shocks, officials should proceed very cautiously. The construction of private farms pose a serious financial threat to farmers in the United States; nevertheless, of the five most industrialized nations, the United States exports more crops.  

How do some countries cope with food crises better than others. It is technology that accounts for the majority of the difference. The rate at which countries adopt innovations depends significantly on environmental factors. These environmental factors include climate, soil and elevation. The variability in environment inhibits new technologies from gaining worldwide popularity that are suited for one particular region over another. For example, the pesticides used in Europe are much more acidic than North America. Without the different levels of acidity, pests would prevent the crops to grow.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

However

As a result

Therefore

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

We are asked about a sentence that describes a specific instance of differences between North America and Europe—namely, each continent's use of pesticides. In the preceding sentence, the author discusses the differences in agricultural practices across regions. The pesticide acidity is an example of the interregional differences, so the answer choice "For example" is the most logical way to connect the two sentences.

Example Question #14 : Reorganizing Content

Alfred Tarski, born on January 14, 1901, became known during his lifetime as a brilliant mathematician and teacher. He is best known for proving several advanced geometric theorems. By the time Tarski moved to the United States, much of Europe has already fallen into the grips of World War II. Hundreds of mathematical problems were solved by Tarski.

Tarski enrolled in Warsaw University in 1920. Originally wishing to study biology, mathematics was the subject in which Tarski ultimately excelled. He graduated with honors, and began his career as a math teacher. A true mathematical virtuoso, Tarski was concerned with neither the application of his research nor publishing his findings.   

Discoveries made by Tarski influenced the work of one of the world’s greatest physicists, Albert Einstein. Einstein and Tarski had many similar interests in common. Unlike Albert Einstein, however, Tarski was especially fond for pure mathematics. Although Tarski and Einstein were contemporaries, Einstein was the most prolific writer of the two.

In 1929, Tarski married his co-worker, Maria Witkowska. An affinity for mathematics ran in the family. Tarski even admitted that his wife knew more about algebra, geometry and trigonometry than did he. Tarski's two children, Jan, and Ina, grew up to be prominent mathematicians themselves; however, neither Jan nor Ina have received a great deal of international attention.

The author is considering adding the following sentence to the passage:

"Whereas Einstein published dozens of books, Tarski published only one."

If the writer were to add this sentence to the passage, which of these choices would be the most logical place to insert it?

Possible Answers:

After the first sentence of paragraph 4

After the last sentence of paragraph 4

After the last sentence of paragraph 3

After the first sentence of paragraph 2

After the first sentence of paragraph 1

Correct answer:

After the last sentence of paragraph 3

Explanation:

The correct answer is "The last sentence of Paragraph 3."

Paragraph 3 contains the discussion of Tarski's relationship with Albert Einstein. The very end of paragraph 3 draws the contrast of Einstein being a more prolific writer than Tarski, which means that Einstein produced more written works than Tarski. The sentence under consideration—"Whereas Einstein published dozens of books, Tarski published only one"—provides a specific example of this contrast, so it is most logical to insert the sentence as the final sentence of paragraph 3.

Example Question #13 : Reorganizing Content

The house stood, at the bottom of a hill, making it hard to see from the street. The owner wants it that way, as he had no use for any of his neighbors. “Nosy sneaks and cheats” he would to say to his son. Not that his son ever really listening. The old man did not see him very much, either at his home or going anywhere else. Every time he did see him, his son would just complain about how his house was dark musty, and filthy. The old man did not need such criticism, especially from only his blood relative. He had lived in that house for fifty years, and planned to live there as long as he possibly could. While he lived there, his neighbors would never see him or his house if he could help it. He could take care of him, and steadfastly refused to allow anyone to help. In his tiny house, at the bottom of the hill, the old man was content to be alone, and believed he was living perfect.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

was ever really listening

never really listening

ever real listening

Correct answer:

was ever really listening

Explanation:

The verbal phrase that is underlined is extremly awkward and strange. The participle "listening," which operates as a noun or adjective, is the only verbal form in the sentence, but is in the position of the object. An actual verb needs to be added into the sentence for clarity, making the correct answer choice "was ever really listening."

Example Question #14 : Reorganizing Content

Speech production is a complicated and complex process, that requires the coordination of three different systems: respiration, phonation, and articulation. A deficit in any of these systems will negatively impact the quality of one’s speech.

We all know that respiration, or breathing, is necessary for life, but have you ever thought about it’s usefulness for speech? Try to talk while holding you’re breath and you will see what I mean. Exhalation provides a stream of air that the next two systems shape into what many people like to call speech.

Phonation happens in your larynx, or voice box. A pair of muscles form a shelf-like structure on either side of your larynx, and this pair of muscles is known as your vocal folds. As you exhale during speech, your vocal fold muscles contract and move towards each other. They vibrate as air passes between them, creating a buzzing sound, and this is a process that is known as phonation. The word “phonation” comes from the ancient Greek word for sound.

Finally, the last stage is articulation. At this final stage, you move your tongue, lips, and jaw to affect the way vibrating air leaves your mouth. For example, when you say the “b” sound, you need to squeeze your lips together to stop the airflow before opening your lips again. For the “v” sound, you touch your top teeth against your lower lip and force air through between your teeth and lip.

Assuming all of the following are true, which would be the best concluding sentence for this passage?

Possible Answers:

By coordinating the three stages of speech, humans can produce over 200 words per minute without even thinking about their respiration, phonation, or articulation.

Speech is a complicated process and I’m surprised that anyone ever learns to talk.

Of course, not all sounds involve your lips; these are just some examples.

I guess you could say the fourth stage of speaking is listening, because what is the point of talking if no one is listening to you?

Correct answer:

By coordinating the three stages of speech, humans can produce over 200 words per minute without even thinking about their respiration, phonation, or articulation.

Explanation:

The correct answer choice remains on topic while providing a new fact (humans can produce over 200 words per minute) that ties the body paragraphs together. The incorrect choice "Of course, not all sounds involve your lips; these are just some examples" does not work as a conclusion, because it leaves the reader expecting more information about sounds that do not require the lips. The remaining two incorrect answers have a less formal tone and add new information that does not tie the three stages of speech together as well as the correct answer does.

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